Economical Toy Vehicles Powered by Stored Elastic Energy

ABSTRACT

Economical toy vehicles powered by stored elastic energy. In one embodiment, an economical toy vehicle includes: a vehicle body; an axle rotatably attached to the vehicle body; a gear integrally affixed to the axle such that rotation of the gear causes rotation of the axle; at least one slotted member integrally affixed to the axle, the slotted member including at least one slot; a hook-pinion assembly characterized by a hook integrally adjoined to a pinion; where the hook-pinion assembly is rotatably attached to the vehicle body; where the pinion is interlockingly engaged with the gear affixed to the axle; and a rubber band detachably attached to the vehicle body on a first end and detachably attached to the hook at a second end, such that the at least one slot can be used to rotate the axle, consequently resulting in the application of a torsional force to the rubber band.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The current application claims priority to U.S. Application No. 62/189,645, entitled “Economical Toy Vehicles Powered by Stored Elastic Energy”, filed Jul. 7, 2016, and U.S. Application No. 62/191,868, entitled “Economical Toy Vehicles Powered by Stored Elastic Energy”, filed Jul. 13, 2016, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to toy vehicles powered by stored elastic energy.

BACKGROUND

Toys are designed to provide entertainment, and sometimes an educational experience, and are undoubtedly enjoyed by many. One class of toys of particular interest encompasses rubber-band powered vehicles (e.g. in the shape of automobiles). For example, many young adults enjoy miniaturized, to-scale, rubber band-powered car toys that crudely emulate the operation of cars. Notably, these toys can be particularly useful in that they can provide entertainment and simultaneously allow their users to develop a more intimate understanding of the elastic energy that can be stored within a rubber band, and how it can be harvested to provide motion.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention implement economical toy vehicles powered by stored elastic energy. In one embodiment, an economical toy vehicle includes: a vehicle body characterized by a forward end and an aft end; an axle rotatably attached to the vehicle body; a gear that is integrally affixed to the axle such that rotation of the gear causes rotation of the axle; at least one slotted member that is integrally affixed to the axle, the slotted member including at least one slot; a hook-pinion assembly characterized by a hook integrally adjoined to a pinion; where the hook-pinion assembly is rotatably attached to the vehicle body; where the pinion is interlockingly engaged with the gear that is affixed to the axle; and a rubber band that is detachably attached to the vehicle body on a first end and detachably attached to the hook at a second end, such that the at least one slot can be engaged and thereby used to rotate the axle, consequently resulting in the application of a torsional force to the rubber band.

In another embodiment, the economical toy vehicle further includes at least one wheel.

In still another embodiment, the vehicle body is shaped like a drag racer.

In yet another embodiment, the at least one slotted member is a wheel hub.

In still yet another embodiment, the axle is disposed proximate the aft end of the vehicle body.

In a further embodiment, the economical toy vehicle further includes a rear threaded shaft and associated nut disposed proximate the aft end of the vehicle body.

In a still further embodiment, the economical toy vehicle further includes at least one washer coupled to the rear threaded shaft.

In a yet further embodiment, the vehicle body includes plywood.

In a still yet further embodiment, at least one wheel includes a foam piece supported by an inner cardboard based tube.

In another embodiment, the gear includes one of: aluminum, stainless steel, and combinations thereof.

In yet another embodiment, the pinion includes one of: aluminum, stainless steel, and combinations thereof.

In still another embodiment, the hook-pinion assembly includes a threaded housing and is thereby affixed to the vehicle body.

In still yet another embodiment, the threaded housing includes brass.

In a further embodiment, the pinion can be interlockingly engaged with the gear in a first mode, and can be disengaged with the gear in a second mode.

In a still further embodiment, the economical toy vehicle further includes a biasing member configured such that when the rubber band is wound, the pinion engages the gear, and when the rubber band is allowed to relax, the pinion disengages from the gear.

In a yet further embodiment, the biasing member is a spring.

In a still yet further embodiment, the vehicle body is shaped like one of: a motorcycle and a paddle boat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior art toy vehicle.

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art mechanical winder

FIGS. 3A-3B illustrate an economical toy vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate the winding of an economical toy vehicle using an adapted tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIGS. 5A-5B illustrate a kit for the construction of an economical toy vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a hook/pinion hook structure that is threaded and includes brass that can be used in the construction of an economical toy vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning now to the drawings, systems and methods for implementing economical toy vehicles powered by stored elastic energy are illustrated.

While a number of toy rubber band-powered vehicles exist, many of them are burdened with any of a variety of shortcomings. For example, in many instances, such toys are overly simplistic insofar as they simply comprise a rubber band interacting directly with the axle. FIG. 1 illustrates such a prior art rubber band powered-toy vehicle. In particular, it is depicted that the prior art toy vehicle 102 includes: wheels 104, an axle 106, a rubber band 108, and a body 110. The rubber band 108 is affixed to the vehicle body 110 at one end 111, and is affixed to the axle at the other end 107. As can be appreciated, rotating the axle 106 can axially load the rubber band 108, and thereby store potential energy (i.e. stored as elastic energy) within the rubber band 108; allowing the rubber band 108 to relax from its loaded state will drive the vehicle 102. Such a toy, having only one mode of operation, can be overly simplistic and thereby less compelling to use.

Some prior art toy vehicles are designed for performance, and are capable of traveling dozens of yards on a single run. Such vehicles can be intricate, and thereby relatively more expensive, and often require the use of a sophisticated external mechanical rubber band winder for optimal performance. FIG. 2 illustrates a typical rubber band winder used to wind certain prior art rubber band toy vehicles. Note that the cost of such winders can be non-trivial, e.g. on the order of $30. Moreover, their use can be rather cumbersome insofar as they generally require two-handed operation, while the toy vehicle has to be separately affixed (e.g. a second person holds the device) during the winding process. Typically, a rubber band is stretched (e.g. up to seven times the original length), and then the winder is used on the stretched rubber band to wind it. This technique can allow as much as three times the amount of potential energy to be stored in the rubber band relative to if it were wound ordinarily in an unstretched state. Such rubber band winders are typically used to wind rubber bands that are used in powering rubber band powered airplanes.

Against this backdrop, many embodiments of the invention address the stated deficiencies and provide economical toy vehicles powered by stored elastic energy that are capable of traveling dozens of yards, are not overly sophisticated, are easily reconfigurable, and are easy to operate. In many embodiments, the economical toy vehicles rely on a gear mechanism for power, and are constructed from affordable components.

Economical Toy Vehicles Powered by Stored Elastic Energy

In many embodiments of the invention, economical toy vehicles powered by stored elastic energy are implemented. In many embodiments, the economical toy vehicles utilizes a drive mechanism that includes a rubber band affixed at one end to the body of the vehicle, and coupled to a hook that is integrally coupled to a pinion at the other end; the pinion, in turn, is interlockingly engaged with a gear that is affixed to an axle of the toy vehicle. In this arrangement, rotation of the axle, will apply a torsional load onto the rubber band (i.e. the gear will cause the rotation of the pinion which will torsionally load the rubber band), thereby storing elastic energy. When the torsionally loaded rubber band is allowed to relax, it will drive the vehicle (i.e. the rubber band will rotate the hook and the integrally connected pinion, which in turn will rotate the gear/axle arrangement).

For example, FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate an economical toy vehicle shaped like a drag racer where a drive mechanism implementing a gearing arrangement is connected with the rear axle, and can thereby drive the vehicle, in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. In particular, FIG. 3A illustrates an isometric view of economic toy vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. More specifically, it is depicted that the economical toy vehicle 302 includes a vehicle body 310, four wheels 304, and is powered by a rubber band 308. Note that the illustrated toy vehicle 302 is shaped like a drag racer. The rubber band 308 is affixed to one end of the vehicle body 311, and affixed to the other end at a rotatable hook 307 that is integrally connected to a pinion 309.

FIG. 3B depicts the underside of the toy vehicle 302. In particular, it is seen that the vehicle includes a pinion 309 that is integrally connected to the hook 307 that is affixed to the rubber band 308. The pinion 309 is interlockingly engaged with a gear 312 that is affixed to the rear axle 306. In essence, rotation of the pinion—e.g. caused by the relaxation of the wound rubber band 308—causes rotation of the axle. In many embodiments, the gear and/or the pinion are easily interchangeable (e.g. via disassembly of the rear axle). In this way, the gear ratios of the economical toy vehicle can be easily changed 306.

The illustrated embodiment also includes a mechanism for adding mass. In particular, it is depicted that the economical toy vehicle 302 includes a rear threaded shaft and screw 314 that can accommodate the addition of weights 316 (e.g. in the form of washers). As can be appreciated, the addition of mass can impact the drive characteristics of the economical toy vehicle. For example, the added weight can cause better gripping performance by the rear wheels.

In many embodiments, the economical toy vehicle is configured such that it can be easily wound, and can be enjoyed without the use of an external sophisticated mechanical winder (like that depicted in FIG. 2). For example, FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate how the rear wheel includes slots that allow it to engage with a separate tool that can easily wind the rubber band. In particular, FIG. 4A depicts the toy vehicle seen in FIGS. 3A and 3B, and illustrates how its left wheel includes two slots 405. FIG. 4B depicts a winding tool that can be used in conjunction with the toy vehicle. In particular, the winding tool 452 includes a protruding surface 454 configured to engage with the slots 405 of the wheel. The winding tool 452 also includes a hole 456 to accommodate the user's finger so that they can easily rotate the wheel after the tool is engaged with the wheel's slots. Recall that rotation of the axle will cause rotation of the hook/pinion structure, and thereby wind the rubber band. In effect, the gearing ratios of the drive mechanism act as a built-in mechanical winder. For example, in many embodiments the drive mechanism includes a 3:1 gearing ratio; accordingly one revolution of the wheel results in three winds of the rubber band. As a reference point, typical sophisticated external mechanical winders—like that seen in FIG. 2—generally implement a 5:1 ratio i.e. one revolution winds a rubber band 5 times. In any case, it can be appreciated that the rubber band of the toy vehicle can be easily wound using the winding tool depicted in FIG. 4B, and the toy can be enjoyed without the use of a sophisticated external mechanical winder, which typically requires two handed operation while the vehicle is separately fixed. Note that, in many instances, the rubber band can be disconnected from the toy, stretched, and then wound. After it is wound in this manner, the rubber band can then be reconnected to the toy. As can be appreciated, this can result in a more tightly wound rubber band that can power the toy for a greater duration.

While one example of an economical toy vehicle has been illustrated and described above, it should be clear that economical toy vehicles can be implemented in any of a variety of forms in accordance with many embodiments of the invention. For example, in many embodiments, economical toy vehicles take the shape of a two-wheeled motorcycle, e.g. the above-described drive arrangement could be coupled to the rear wheel of the motorcycle. In a number of embodiments, economical toy vehicles are adapted for use in water, and take the form of a water vehicle (e.g. a paddle boat). In general, economical toy vehicles can be implemented in any of a variety of shapes in accordance with many embodiments of the invention. Moreover, while the coupling of the drive mechanism to the rear axle has been discussed, in many embodiments, the gearing mechanism is coupled to the front axle. In several embodiments, drive mechanisms are coupled to each of the front axle and the rear axle. In certain embodiments where the toy vehicle takes the shape of a motorcycle, drive mechanisms can be coupled to each of the two wheels of the motorcycle. Any suitable drive arrangement can be implemented in accordance with many embodiments of the invention. The assembly of economical toy vehicles is now discussed below.

Assembly of Economical Toy Vehicles

The described economical toy vehicles can be fabricated using any of a variety of suitable materials in accordance with many embodiments of the invention. In many embodiments, economical toy vehicles are fabricated from readily available and affordable materials. In a number of embodiments, the vehicle is constructed from materials similar to those discussed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/288,306, entitled “Systems and Methods Implementing Devices Adapted to Controllably Propel Themselves Through a Medium.” The disclosure of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/288,306 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. For example, in many embodiments, the body of the toy vehicle comprises plywood. In a number of embodiments, the rear wheels comprise a foam piece supported by an inner cardboard-based tube (e.g. those used in conjunction with paper towel rolls or toilet paper rolls). In many embodiments, the rear wheels comprise air conditioning tubing supported by an inner cardboard-based tube. The front wheels can comprise a disc-shaped piece of plywood, notched round its circumference to accommodate an elastic band that can provide for better gripping. The front axle can comprise an inner tube (e.g. a narrow straw) that is directly coupled to the front wheels, and housed within an outer tube (e.g. a wider straw). The gear can comprise any suitable material. For example, in many embodiments, the gear comprises aluminum. Similarly, the pinion can be any suitable material in accordance with embodiments of the invention. For example, in many embodiments, the pinion comprises stainless steel. In a number of embodiments, the housing for the pinion and the integrally connected hook is threaded and made out of brass. Of course, while several materials are referenced for the construction of economical toy vehicles, it should be appreciated that economical toy vehicles can be fabricated from any of a variety of suitable materials in accordance with many embodiments of the invention. The referenced materials are simply meant to be illustrative, and not exhaustive of the materials from which economical toy vehicles can be fabricated.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate kits including constituent components for building an economic toy vehicle as well as an external winding tool in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. In particular, FIG. 5A illustrates that the kit for building the economical toy vehicle 502 includes a base of the vehicle body 504, a left body panel 506, a right body panel 508, a forward rubber band attachment member 510, and a forward axle support member 512. Each of the base of the vehicle body 504, the left body panel 506, the right body panel 508, the forward rubber band attachment member 510, and the forward axle support member 512 can be fabricated from plywood. The kit 502 also includes an inner axle component 516, in the form of a thin tube 516, and an outer axle component 518, in the form of a wider tube. As can be appreciated, the inner axle component 516 and the outer axle component 518 can be sized such that the inner axle component 516 can rotate freely within the outer axle component 518. In many embodiments, the inner axle component 516 and the outer axle component 518 are in the form of narrower and wider straws, respectively. The kit 502 also includes a left front wheel 520 and a right front wheel 522. In many embodiments, the left front wheel 520 and the right front wheel 522 comprise disc-shaped plywood including a notched perimeter to accommodate an elastic band. The inner axle component 516 can be directly affixed to each of the left front wheel 520 and the right front wheel 522.

The kit 502 also includes an integrally connected hook and pinion structure 524, as well as an associated gear 526. The kit 502 further includes a rear axle and rear left wheel hub structure 530. In many instances, the rear axle is constructed from a bolt; in some embodiments, the rear axle is implemented using a stud screw and a cap nut to secure it to the wheel. It can be beneficial for the axle to be strongly bonded to at least one wheel—in this way, the rotation of the strongly bonded wheel can ‘wind’ the rubber band (e.g. as opposed to ‘unscrewing’ the wheel from the axle). The positioning of the wheel/axle structure is also relevant in this respect—for example, in many embodiments, where the axle is threaded conventionally, the cap nut is used to strongly affix the left rear wheel to the axle; in this way, the winding of the car (e.g. by rotating the left wheel clockwise) will not inadvertently unscrew the cap nut. In many instances, at least one wheel is not as strongly affixed to the rear axle so as to allow for easy disassembly (e.g. to access the gear). In several instances, the wheel that is not as strongly affixed to the axle is screwed onto a threaded portion of it. In this way, the axle/wheel structure can be disassembled by unscrewing this wheel. Of course, it should be appreciated that the rear axle and wheel structure can be implemented using any of a variety of suitable materials.

In many embodiments the gear 526 can be affixed to the rear axle 530 using a clamping screw. Thus, in many instances, the kit 502 includes an L-wrench 528 that can be used to clamp the gear 526 onto the rear axle 530. The kit 502 further includes a right rear wheel hub 532 that can be affixed to the rear left wheel and axle 530 using the illustrated nuts and adjoining components 534. The kit 502 also includes a left rear wheel 536 and a right rear wheel 538. As can be appreciated, the left and right can be constructed using any of a variety of materials. In many instances, the left and right wheels 536 and 538 are implemented using a cylindrical foam supported by a cardboard tube (e.g. those used in conjunction toilet paper rolls or else paper towel rolls).

The kit 502 further includes the front drive train housing 514, the upper drive train housing 540, and the seat backrest 542. The kit 502 also includes a rear shaft 544 that can accommodate the implementation of ballast. For example, the kit 502 includes a washer 546 that can be used as ballast. The kit 502 further includes a rubber band 548. Any suitable rubber band can be used in accordance with many embodiments of the invention. In many embodiments, the rubber band is 0.187″ world championship rubber string. In certain embodiments, the rubber band is made by GOODYEAR. In a number of embodiments, the rubber band is a TAN SUPER SPORT rubber band. In many instances, the economical toy vehicle can drive 50 feet in 2.8 seconds, when it is weighted properly.

FIG. 5B illustrates a kit for constructing a winding tool that can be used to easily wind the economical toy vehicle. In particular, the kit 552 includes a lateral base 554, a first protruding piece 556 including structures 557 for grasping a wheel for easy winding, and a second protruding piece 554 for stabilization. The discussion with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B discusses the operation of the winding tool.

As can be appreciated, the described and illustrated kits can be used to easily construct an economical toy vehicle and an associated winding tool in accordance with certain embodiments of the invention. In many instances, the vehicles are constructed using a relatively nominal amount of an adhesive, e.g. glue. Importantly, while several materials for construction have been referenced, it should be reiterated that the illustrated components can be fabricated from any of a variety of materials in accordance with many embodiments of the invention. For example, in certain embodiments, the pinion/hook structure is fabricated from brass. Additionally, it should be appreciated that while certain embodiments have been described in many respects, there exist many variations that can be implemented, all within the scope of many embodiments of the invention. For example, in a number of embodiments, the pin/hook structure is threaded so that it can more easily be integrated with the front drive train housing. As another example, in some embodiments, the pinion is moveable along its axis of rotation, and is coupled with a biasing member (such as a spring) such that: (1) when the rubber band is wound, the biasing member is activated and causes the pinion to engage the gear, and (2) when the rubber band is allowed to relax, the biasing member relaxes and allows the pinion to disengage from the gear. As an example, referring to FIG. 6, this configuration can be implemented by coupling a spring to the brass housing on one end and the pinion on the other end. In this configuration, the winding of the rubber band can cause tension in the rubber band and pull the pinion closer to the brass housing, thereby allowing the pinion to engage the gear. When the rubber band is allowed to relax, the spring is allowed to relax and allows the pinion to move to its natural resting position, disengaged from the gear. In this way, at the end of a run, the pinion can disengage the gear and maintain the forward momentum of the toy vehicle. By contrast, if the pinion were always engaged with the gear, the rotational momentum of the wheels and the pinion/hook structure can cause the rubber band to be wound in the reverse direction at the end of a run, and thereby cause the vehicle to end its run going in reverse. Allowing the pinion to disengage the gear at the end of the run can prevent this result. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that the described structures can be augmented in any of a variety of ways in accordance with many embodiments of the invention.

It can be appreciated that the above-described economical toy vehicles are sophisticated, versatile (insofar as they can be easily reconfigured in a number of respects), and can offer an educational entertaining experience. Importantly, they are economical in that they can be made from readily available and affordable parts. In this way, the described economical toy vehicles can reach a wide audience. Indeed, because of their ability to reach a wide audience, it can be easier to host races to allow available users to compete. For example, race guidelines can be distributed that set forth the rules for a particular race: for instance, users can be allowed reconfigure their toy vehicles—in accordance with certain guidelines—to attempt to optimize the performance characteristics of the economical toy vehicle to accommodate the particular race parameters. Moreover, the race guidelines can include a ‘science section’ that explains to users the underlying physics and how users can consider reconfiguring their economical toy vehicles. An example of such a ‘science section’ is included in an accompanying appendix.

While the economical toy vehicles that are the subject of the instant application have been described in certain respects, it should be appreciated that the above-mentioned concepts can be implemented in a variety of arrangements in accordance with many embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, although the present invention has been described in certain specific aspects, many additional modifications and variations would be apparent to those skilled in the art. It is therefore to be understood that the present invention may be practiced otherwise than specifically described. Thus, embodiments of the present invention should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. 

What is claimed is:
 1. An economical toy vehicle comprising: a vehicle body characterized by a forward end and an aft end; an axle rotatably attached to the vehicle body; a gear that is integrally affixed to the axle such that rotation of the gear causes rotation of the axle; at least one slotted member that is integrally affixed to the axle, the slotted member including at least one slot; a hook-pinion assembly characterized by a hook integrally adjoined to a pinion; wherein the hook-pinion assembly is rotatably attached to the vehicle body; wherein the pinion is interlockingly engaged with the gear that is affixed to the axle; and a rubber band that is detachably attached to the vehicle body on a first end and detachably attached to the hook at a second end, such that the at least one slot can be engaged and thereby used to rotate the axle, consequently resulting in the application of a torsional force to the rubber band.
 2. The economical toy vehicle of claim 1 further comprising at east one wheel.
 3. The economical toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the vehicle body is shaped like a drag racer.
 4. The economical toy vehicle of claim 3 wherein the at least one slotted member is a wheel hub.
 5. The economical toy vehicle of claim 4 wherein the axle is disposed proximate the aft end of the vehicle body.
 6. The economical toy vehicle of claim 5 further comprising a rear threaded shaft and associated nut disposed proximate the aft end of the vehicle body.
 7. The economical toy vehicle of claim 6 further comprising at least one washer coupled to the rear threaded shaft.
 8. The economical toy vehicle of claim 1 wherein the vehicle body comprises plywood.
 9. The economical toy vehicle of claim 8 wherein at least one wheel comprises a foam piece supported by an inner cardboard based tube.
 10. The economical toy vehicle of claim 9 where in the gear comprises one of: aluminum, stainless steel, and combinations thereof.
 11. The economical toy vehicle of claim 10, wherein the pinion comprises one of: aluminum, stainless steel, and combinations thereof.
 12. The economical toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the hook-pinion assembly includes a threaded housing and is thereby affixed to the vehicle body.
 13. The economical toy vehicle of claim 12, wherein the threaded housing comprises brass.
 14. The economical toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the pinion can be interlockingly engaged with the gear in a first mode, and can be disengaged with the gear in a second mode.
 15. The economical toy vehicle of claim 14, further comprising a biasing member configured such that when the rubber band is wound, the pinion engages the gear, and when the rubber band is allowed to relax, the pinion disengages from the gear.
 16. The economical toy vehicle of claim 15, wherein the biasing member is a spring.
 17. The economical toy vehicle of claim 1, wherein the vehicle body is shaped like one of: a motorcycle and a paddle boat. 